The Socialist 10 July 2013

Miliband dances to Tory tune

Miliband dances to Tory tune

Unite meets roadblock in New Labour

Stop Gove's school profits plans

Them & Us

Strong support for fighting socialist alternative in CWU

Lobby the TUC for 24-hour strike!

PCS Young Members Network forum

Werrington Royal Mail dispute

The costs of privatisation - to the workforce

Workplace news in brief

Egypt: Morsi removed - polarisation grows

Portugal's government on the ropes again

Are you sick of... Low pay?... Zero hour contracts?... Job insecurity?... bullying bosses?...

Lifting the lid on the bedroom tax horror

Birmingham Labour councillors' promises

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Rebel councillor faces further suspension

Fund the fight for a socialist alternative to capitalist austerity

Privileged perks for Kate and Wills... Maternity cuts for us!

Unite and Labour - it's time for a rethink!

Inside the banking system

Piper Alpha: The price of profit -167 workers' lives

Review - The Pitmen Painters

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Birmingham Labour councillors' promises

Mark Caudery, Birmingham

On 3 July Erdington Anti-Bedroom Tax campaign held its second meeting. Labour councillors Penny Holbrook, Josh Jones and Mick Finnegan fielded questions from the 25-strong audience.

The councillors declared they would physically assist constituents facing bailiffs on the doorstep! They said that although the city council had so far failed to make a stand against the Con-Dems' austerity policies, there remains an "unofficial" policy that the council, "had no intention of evicting anyone over the bedroom tax".

But when national government begins putting pressure on councils to begin evictions, can Birmingham city council be relied on to protect the interests of the most vulnerable in the city? If their track record of vicious cuts is anything to go by, this is doubtful.

The councillors were on the defensive through much of the meeting, claiming opposition to the bedroom tax but failing to show any intention to take the fight to the council chamber. It also appeared they didn't know how angry people are about the bedroom tax.

If our councillors don't deliver on their promises, then Erdington Anti-Bedroom Tax Campaign have stated that they are prepared to stand their own candidates. Watch this space!

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Socialist Party news and analysis

Miliband dances to Tory tune